Review

A Second Skin

Adidas senior global product manager Philipp Hagel explains the science and style behind the new X 19+

WORDS Philipp Hagel

Issue 01

What makes this boot different?

The X product collection is our speed franchise and the new X 19+ is the lightest laceless boot from adidas football. The unique construction is optimised to make the boot as lightweight as possible and engineered materials provide a second-skin feeling.

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

We’d rather suggest that continuous improvement of laceless is the future. It’s the purest form of touching and kicking the ball. Our ambition is to provide football players with boots that become like a second skin, giving a pure sensation of the ball and offering a clean striking surface.

Where will the boot go next?

We continuously try to push the boundaries. There’s always a desire to make better boots and even more exciting designs. The performance aspect is always crucial. However, football is also culture and style – so exploring and blending new aesthetics is also part of the process. Where can it go? Well I’d love to say more now but I can’t. Trust me, we have some exciting product concepts and innovations in the pipeline.

What makes this boot different?

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

Where will the boot go next?

Read the full story

Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

‍

What makes this boot different?

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

Where will the boot go next?

Review

A Second Skin

Adidas senior global product manager Philipp Hagel explains the science and style behind the new X 19+

WORDS Philipp Hagel

Text Link

What makes this boot different?

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

Where will the boot go next?

What makes this boot different?

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

Where will the boot go next?

Read the full story

Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

‍

What makes this boot different?

Who will be using this boot?

X 19 is worn by the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Mo Salah, Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, James Rodríguez and Vivianne Miedema: some of the fastest and most dangerous players in world football.

Are laces a thing of the past?

Where will the boot go next?

The colour is cool – what is the inspiration behind that?

The choice of colour is fundamental and an exciting opportunity to give a product a certain characteristic. We take inspiration from many different areas. What is on-trend in sports? What is on-trend in fashion? What drives our consumers in their life?

How can you convince someone to swap their classic Copas for the X 19?

Comparing the legendary Copa Mundial to X 19 is like comparing a beautiful old-timer Porsche 911 to a contemporary Formula 1 race car. Both are absolute beauties, but represent a different time of innovation cycle and consumer generation. In hard facts: X 19 is about 35% lighter and has a thin engineered textile upper that moulds around your foot providing a second-skin feeling. Modern day football has become a lot faster and if your game is heavily dependent on speed, the new X 19 may give you a sensation of being nimbler and faster as it is so light and minimalistic. And it’s your choice: either you go with a highly visible and bright colour or stay classy in all-black.

How long is the boot tested before it is given the green light?

The development process from concept kick-off to final product varies between two and three years. We go through various iterations from design-driven prototypes to more refined and playable boots. Finally, towards the end of the process nuances and millimetres make the difference between a good or a perfect fit. There is nothing more beautiful than slipping on a new prototype for the first time and debating with your team-mates on how to make it even better.